Passport photo standards to come into effect

UK travellers are being reminded that all passport photos will have to comply with new international requirements from next week.

The new guidelines, agreed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, have been introduced to help combat fraud. They will enable the production of new, more secure, biometric ‘ePassports’ as well as the use of facial recognition technology, for enhanced checks at international border controls.

From September 12, all passport photos must be taken against an off-white, cream or light grey plain background and must show the applicant on their own, showing full face, looking straight at the camera with a “neutral expression” and their eyes closed.

Two identical photographs, taken within the last month, have to be submitted with the application and they must be printed on normal photographic paper, which is 45mm x 35 mm in size.

The photos must also show a close up of the applicant’s head and shoulders, so that their face covers 65 – 75% of the photo.

The photos will be used for the new ePassports, which will begin to be issued by the UK Passport Service by the beginning of next year.

Applicants whose photos do not meet those standards will need to supply alternative photos before a passport can be issued.

Existing passport holders will not need to have their current passports updated, but they will have to comply with the new guidelines when they renew or replace their passports.

Commenting on the new guidelines, Home Office Minister Andy Burnham said: “The British passport is currently one of the most secure in the world, but would not stay that way were we to stand still. The UK Passport Service and its equivalents in countries all over the world are constantly working to enhance passport security to stay ahead of forgers and fraudsters.”

The new photo requirements are available in a leaflet, which is included in the passport application pack and is available from www.passport.gov.uk

(KMcA/SP)